Many civic groups and local governments are involved in campaigns to safely collect and dispose of "household hazardous waste." Although it is difficult to define, household hazardous waste is generally considered to be any chemical waste generated in a family dwelling which, if disposed of improperly, may be harmful to human health or the environment. Growing concerns are centered around the disposal of these potentially toxic wastes by burying them in landfills or pouring them down drains or storm sewers. The most popular method of addressing the problem of household hazardous waste is that of holding "collection days," at which householders are encouraged to bring their hazardous waste to some central location for proper handling by responsible authorities. Although the availability of information about the total costs of holding these collections days is presently limited, it is apparent that the expense per household served is quite high. Some people have questioned whether the expense is justified, since there has been little documentation of the risks associated with the handling of household hazardous waste in the municipal waste stream. This thesis presents the findings to date of a study examining the quantities of household hazardous waste present in the municipal waste stream (in order to assess the risks associated with their disposal) and the costs associated with collection days. A telephone survey was used to develop a preliminary estimate of the nature and quantity of hazardous waste generated by households in a Virginia city. Cost data from collection days held in Virginia and elsewhere in the United States are documented and discussed. / Master of Science

This paper analyzes the role of both cooperative and oppositional modes of citizen participation in public decision making related to waste facility siting. Politicians, bureaucrats, and waste industry representatives embrace participatory planning as an equitable and efficient solution to the waste siting dilemma. Ideally, citizen involvement in waste planning would foster solutions both environmentally and economically satisfactory to all stakeholders. To date, however, no clear consensus exists over the instrumental objectives of participatory planning. Participatory planning encompasses a wide spectrum of activities ranging from coalition-building to grassroots development. The broad use of the term “participation” complicates efforts to distinguish between those planning activities which are co-optive and those which are participatory. Guided by two critical questions (‘who’ and ‘why’), the first section of this paper proposes a ‘people centered’ conceptual framework for defining the instrumental goals of participation and for differentiating between co-optive and participatory planning. In the second and third sections, I present a comparative case study of the two predominant modes of participation (cooperative oppositional) currently operating in the United State’s waste facility siting crisis. I use a ‘people centered’ conceptual framework to show that the current cooperative participatory approaches to waste facility siting serve more to facilitate citizen co-optation than participation. I further demonstrate that the grassroots oppositional movement against waste facility siting represents successful participation on the part of the citizens in the face of co-optive attempts on the part of the state and the waste industry. / Master of Urban Affairs

The 1972 amendments to the Federal Water Pollution Control Act provide for major changes to reduce and eventually eliminate water pollution by 1985. In contrast, projections indicate that the volume of wastes generated by population and economic growth in the near future will be very large and the cost of treating it by standard methods will be extremely high. Hence, all possible systems and methods of waste disposal must be considered and ways of reducing the amount of waste discharges sought. In attempting to reach the goal of zero waste discharges, one alternative which must be considered in certain situations is the employment of deep well waste disposal (DWWD). This method accomplishes long term isolation of highly toxic liquid industrial wastes in confined subsurface geologic strata. This study undertakes a preliminary investigation of the potential of DWWD as a waste management tool. The analysis is conducted from an economic standpoint with the relevant economic concepts and issues being identified and examined as they apply to both users and regulators of the method as well as the general public. The direct cost for the system and its operation was discussed with particular attention paid to its derivation. Numerous site specific variables prevent generalizations concerning the cost of DWWD relative to surface treatment methods. On occasions, however, the method appears to have a greater initial capital outlay requirement but a much less operating and maintenance cost than alternative forms of wastewater management achieving the same effect. The social costs and benefits of deep well waste disposal were viewed in detail. Suggestions were made as how society might compensate the firm for the creation of social benefits in excess of social costs, and how they may be internalized into the firm's decision making process. Finally, the industrial potential for employing DWWD in the study area, designated as the Mid and South Atlantic states, is derived and discussed. / Master of Science

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / Environmental Management / Master / Master of Science in Environmental Management

published_or_final_version / Urban Planning / Master / Master of Science in Urban Planning

Thesis (MTech (Environmental Health))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2007 / The waste management that is taking place in the Breede Valley district focus mainly on disposal and end-of-pipe solutions. This approach resulted in serious negative impacts on the environment and human health. Improper waste management practices have become a major source of concern due to the risk associated with poor waste management in the area. Indiscriminate dumping of waste at street corners is very common. The basic waste management processes of collection, transport, segregation and [mal disposal appear to be very inefficient and inadequate. The objective of this study was to determine the composition of the waste stream as well as public awareness, attitudes and behaviours towards current and alternative waste management practices. A waste assessment study was conducted to determine the amount of waste generated by the different communities, as well as how much and what of the recyclables can be taken out of the waste stream by recycling. For this study data was obtained by formulation of questionnaires for businesses, communities and medical practitioners, as well as an interview with the Engineering Department of the Breede Valley Municipality about the current waste management situation in the area. From the data obtain from businesses, communities and medical facilities, it is clear that public participation, partnership, education and awareness is essential for effective integrated waste management. This study revealed that waste management practices are inefficient, uncontrolled and fragmented. This investigation shows that there is a huge difference between the different communities in terms of the volume of waste generation. The study also shows that waste related legislation is outdated and fragmented and there is no enforcement by municipal officials. The major Issues and challenges that affect the management of waste. include its organisational structure and lack of waste minimisation plans.

Widespread use of childhood vaccination has significantly reduced the burden of childhood disease, however a subset of parents are choosing to delay or refuse available vaccines. This study analyzed data collected from a large surveillance study to examine the parents’ attitudes about vaccines and the prevalence of vaccine hesitancy (vaccine delay and refusal) in an urban clinic population. The parents of 961 children attending the Boston Medical Center Pediatrics department participated in the study. Parental responses to four vaccine questions were used to assess vaccine attitudes. Log-Binomial Regression models were used to evaluate the relationship between comorbidity status and birth order with vaccine delay or refusal. In this study population, parents reported generally positive attitudes toward vaccination. The majority (87%) believed that vaccines were necessary to protect their child. Approximately 16% of parents reported that had delayed or refused a vaccine and 24% of parents indicated that they did not believe or were unsure if other parents vaccinating their children. When asked the reason for their choice, parents who only delayed frequently cited logistic concerns like a missed appointment, whereas parents who refused more often cited personal beliefs, such as concerns that their child could become ill from vaccination. Finally, parents of children with a comorbidity were more likely to refuse a vaccine than parents of children without comorbidity (Adjusted RR=1.8, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.9). While parents were generally positive toward vaccines, for the small portion of parents refusing vaccines, further work could help to better explain their motivations.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Sverges lantbruksuniversitet, 2001. / Thesis statement in Swedish and English abstract inserted. Based on 5 previously prepared or published papers reprinted here. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M. Soc. Sc.)--University of Hong Kong, 1986.